a bad question to ask
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From:
RE: a bad question to ask
I agree on the uselessness of textile riding pants. I took a couple of long rides in them an now they just hang there in the mud room and only get used when I'm using the lawn tractor with the snow blower.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 1
From:
RE: a bad question to ask
A couple friends of mine (guy & girl) went down on gravel traveling about 20mph. They were wearing mesh top and bottom. The mesh pants ripped completely apart, and the girl had to get just a couple stitches. They both agreed that the mesh protected far above and beyond if they were wearing jeans, but because of the stitches, the mesh didn't do as good of a job as leather would have done.
I guess it's a trade-off. If it's 100F outside, I can understand why you wouldn't want to be too hot with pants, but to be honest, my TourMaster Leather Jacket is not that hot in the summer heat.
I guess it's a trade-off. If it's 100F outside, I can understand why you wouldn't want to be too hot with pants, but to be honest, my TourMaster Leather Jacket is not that hot in the summer heat.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
RE: a bad question to ask
Wear leather no matter what! Glove to toe!! When it's hot, when it's cold, when you ride. Even if you skip a piece, skip only that one! 
Broken bones will heal, but trust me, you don't want to know what road rash heals like. 
Cowhide is good, goat and other exotic leathers are even better.
Broken bones will heal, but trust me, you don't want to know what road rash heals like. Cowhide is good, goat and other exotic leathers are even better.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Santa Maria di Camisano, Italy
RE: a bad question to ask
Can I git a witness ayeah!!! It's the truth, though. Nothing is worse than having the roadscrubbed out of your raw, bloody shoulder.
I've seen dudes with serious roadrash from mesh. Permanent scars. It will rip if you slide enough. I've seen dudes hit the ground with leather and come up with no more than a limp from a bruised knee. I've also seen a guy get road rash on his wrist because his gloves were too short. Everything else was fine but his wrist. He also was wearing a pair of boots made of thin leather and they actually ripped open at the ankle.
Go with good, quality thick leather and you won't go wrong. When I'm traveling I always wear leather. I just drink more water if it's hot. I've felt the road wear through my jeans and I've seen what it can do if you hit the asphalt going fast enough without good leather...not pretty.
It's the truth, though. Nothing is worse than having the roadscrubbed out of your raw, bloody shoulder.I've seen dudes with serious roadrash from mesh. Permanent scars. It will rip if you slide enough. I've seen dudes hit the ground with leather and come up with no more than a limp from a bruised knee. I've also seen a guy get road rash on his wrist because his gloves were too short. Everything else was fine but his wrist. He also was wearing a pair of boots made of thin leather and they actually ripped open at the ankle.
Go with good, quality thick leather and you won't go wrong. When I'm traveling I always wear leather. I just drink more water if it's hot. I've felt the road wear through my jeans and I've seen what it can do if you hit the asphalt going fast enough without good leather...not pretty.
ORIGINAL: Firetender
Wear leather no matter what! Glove to toe!! When it's hot, when it's cold, when you ride. Even if you skip a piece, skip only that one! Broken bones will heal, but trust me, you don't want to know what road rash heals like.
Cowhide is good, goat and other exotic leathers are even better.
Wear leather no matter what! Glove to toe!! When it's hot, when it's cold, when you ride. Even if you skip a piece, skip only that one!
Broken bones will heal, but trust me, you don't want to know what road rash heals like. Cowhide is good, goat and other exotic leathers are even better.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Dallas / Ft. Worth, Texas
RE: a bad question to ask
I went down a while back when the weather was cooler than usual. I wore a polypropylene undershirt, flannel shirt and a leather jacket. The elbow on the leather jacket got scuffed, the shirt never tore, the polypropylene never tore, but to this day I've got a good size scare from the nasty floor burn that I got. I don't wear polypropylene when I ride anymore.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 7
From: Chester County, PA
RE: a bad question to ask
ORIGINAL: tkjones2
ok gang first off sorry for asking this and i really hope no one tries this at home. i keep hearing that the good mesh jackets are as good as leather, i have been riding 20 plus years and always in leather or just a T, i did buy a light weight mesh last year and have to admit it pretty dang comforatable, now that its winter im back in leather. next summer im hoping to do more longer range riding and am trying to cut down on the stuff i carry. ok the bad part...Has anyone been down with mesh on and how did it do. Was it really as protective as good leather ??? and im not meaning the cheaper mesh but a good jacket with body armor, something like the HD Switchback or along those line. sorry to ask guys cause the thought of a brother down isint a good one.
ok gang first off sorry for asking this and i really hope no one tries this at home. i keep hearing that the good mesh jackets are as good as leather, i have been riding 20 plus years and always in leather or just a T, i did buy a light weight mesh last year and have to admit it pretty dang comforatable, now that its winter im back in leather. next summer im hoping to do more longer range riding and am trying to cut down on the stuff i carry. ok the bad part...Has anyone been down with mesh on and how did it do. Was it really as protective as good leather ??? and im not meaning the cheaper mesh but a good jacket with body armor, something like the HD Switchback or along those line. sorry to ask guys cause the thought of a brother down isint a good one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
RE: a bad question to ask
ORIGINAL: tkjones2
ok first thanks for the input gang, gut feeling is leading me away from the mesh and back towards leather, i have looked at Fox creek and Langlitz, both seems to have great products and great customer satifaction.
last question is for you all in either fox creek or Langlitx and im not trying to start a war, but in temps above 90 how is airflow ?? i see Langlitz offers goatskin, anyone using it ?? i spoke to Tippy at Fox creek and she was extremly helpful and we discussed perforated leather on some of the panels. basically next summer i hope to make up for not getting to ride this summer due to back surg. and ok ill admit it im getting old and started thinking its time to quit making excusing and live some and see some hiway. and im trying to find one set of riding gear. i do ride from around 40 ish to above 100 ish, west oklahoma, texas, etc,
thanks again all for letting me ramble and pick your brians.
ok first thanks for the input gang, gut feeling is leading me away from the mesh and back towards leather, i have looked at Fox creek and Langlitz, both seems to have great products and great customer satifaction.
last question is for you all in either fox creek or Langlitx and im not trying to start a war, but in temps above 90 how is airflow ?? i see Langlitz offers goatskin, anyone using it ?? i spoke to Tippy at Fox creek and she was extremly helpful and we discussed perforated leather on some of the panels. basically next summer i hope to make up for not getting to ride this summer due to back surg. and ok ill admit it im getting old and started thinking its time to quit making excusing and live some and see some hiway. and im trying to find one set of riding gear. i do ride from around 40 ish to above 100 ish, west oklahoma, texas, etc,
thanks again all for letting me ramble and pick your brians.
After all that, I had them make me a jacket that is vented with long zippers in the front and rear panels, and zippers in the biceps of the sleeve.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
RE: a bad question to ask
Good info, Paniolo. I have never had a perforated leather jacket but always wondered how it would hold up because it just seemed like it would tear easily. I think the way to go is with zipped vents on a good leather jacket. JMO.
